Carles sorry for 'staff-for-vote' mix up

Independent West Australian MP Adele Carles has apologised to the premier for
mistakenly believing the two had agreed that she would support the government in
exchange for extra staff.
In October, Ms Carles and WA Premier Colin Barnett met in his parliamentary office
to discuss the issue of additional staff for the independent.
The MP, who resigned from the Greens earlier this year, left the meeting believing
she had come to an agreement with Mr Barnett under which she would gain an extra
staff member if she supported the government.
This meant Ms Carles would not block supply or vote against the government on
no-confidence motions.
However, Mr Barnett said there was no deal and Ms Carles "volunteered" her support,
adding any decision to grant additional staff would not be conditional.
Speaking in parliament on Tuesday, Ms Carles said it was possible that people may
leave conversations with different perceptions and understandings of what took
place.
"I have made it clear what my perception of that agreement was, it appears the
premier has a different perception to me," she said.
Ms Carles said the meeting was complicated by a division in the house being called
mid-way through the conversation and the two having to leave.
"I concede it's within the realm of possibility that I misunderstood the agreement
and if that's what took place, I apologise to the premier."
She said she should have written to the premier immediately after the meeting to
confirm that her understanding of what they discussed was correct.
"I failed to do that, I failed to write to him and seek written confirmation. I
admit when I'm wrong. It would have been prudent of me to get this agreement in
writing."